Interchangeable key blank and key button combination



Feb. 16, 1965 E. J. DoMBRowsKl 3,169,701

INTERCHANGEABLE KEY BLANK AND KEY BUTTON COMBINATION Filed Jan. 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Tram/fr Feb. 16, 1965 E. J. DoMBRowsKl INTERCHANGEABLE KEY BLANK AND KEY BUTTON COMBINATION Filed Jan. 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGB n mw mw J M M laterally aligned slots 40 into each of which may be' Secured one of the three key stems or tennons 41 formed on .the zero key blank body 42. The other key blank bodies 48 at one end and, when reversed in position the stem 48 will be at the opposite end las shown in FIGURE 7. The number of key blank bodies needed will be only three for all ten of the key buttons, which latter will require only two different norms. Y

In the modified form of buttons shown in FGURE 8,

the zero button or bar S0 will have three laterally aligned Slots 51 in which are secured the three stems `41 of the blank 42 (FIG. 7) while the buttons 5,2 will each have a slot 53 in the underside near one edge thereof and the button 54 will have a slot 55 in the center of the underside thereof. can serve also as buttons 52 `for the three, six and nine numerial keys, the stems 48 of the bodies 4S being secured in the slots 53.. 4

It Will be evident that the dimensions ofthe key buttons are such that three of the key blank bodies can be positioned beneath one button with sufficient space between them to allow easy yassembly and free operation. The key blank bodies are relatively thin and can be assembled with the buttons with a minimum labor and time.

When buttons 52 are rotated, in a plane, they While there is above described a particular embodiment f claims as are stated therein, or required by the prior art.:

What I claim is:

`1. In a keyboard structure,

(a) depressible key [buttons arranged in spaced and parallel rows,

(b) said key buttons having recessed portions on theff.

underside thereof, l (c) each of said rows containing at least two key buttons, Y (d) a plurality of movable key blanks of like configuration in alignment with each row of key buttons rand equal in number thereto and arranged to one side of said key buttons,

(e) said key blanks being spaced and parallel to each :other tand extending a distance corresponding to that occupied by the associated key button group,

K(f) a plurality of identical stem projections on each key blank,

(g) and fone of said stem projections of each key blank connected to a diiierent key button in the associated row and the unconnected stem projections thereof loosely fitted in the said recess portions of the remaining key buttons in lthe `row ywhereby depression of one fof said last mentioned key buttons is effective to move only the stem projection connected thereto.

Q. In a keyboard structure,

(a) a keyboard, y

(b) key buttons arranged in parallel groups fon said keyboard,

(c) a movable pin carriage spaced from the key buttons and having sett-able pins arranged in columns therein,

-(d) a plurality of key blanks of identical configuration for each associated key button group disposed between each key button group and the pin carriage,

v(e) each of said key blanks having an elongated center portion extending a distance corresponding to that occupied bythe associated key 'button group,

(f) ya plurality of stern projections yon each key blank,

(g) each of said key buttons having ya stem retaining recess and at least e. stem non-retaining recess located" being disposed in the stem retaining recess of a key button and the other stems of each key blank being disposed in the non-retaining recess of the associated key button group,

(i) and shank portions on each key blank Ifor setting pinsV in the pin carriage when the key button to which is attached a stem projection is depressed.

3. In a keyboard structure,

(a) d-epressible key buttons arranged in spaced and parallel rows extending in a longitudinal direction and in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction along the keyboard,

, I(b) each on of said transverse rows containing three key buttons,

(c) a key blank provided foreach key button in one of said transverse rows in alignment with'said key buttons of said one transverse row and :arranged to the underside of said key buttons of said one transversero-W, t

Y (d) the key blanks provided for the outer key buttons of said one transverse row arranged spaced and parallel to each other and bothkey blanks extending onlyk a distance substantially correspondingto that occupied by the key buttons of said one transverse row, and

`(e) each of said Ithree key blanks having a stern to connect each of said three key blanks' to a separate key button of said one transverse row,

(f) vsaid stems on said key blanks associated with said outer -key buttons of said one transverse row being cquidistant from a point on the middle key button of said one tnansverse row whereby said key blanks [associated with said outer key buttons may be displaced 'from their positions in said one transverse row as to be interchangeable one with the other ttor connection to the other outer key button of the row.' f

4. In a keyboard, l

(a) depressible key buttons arranged in spaced and parallel rows extending in a longitudinal direction and in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction along the keyboard,

(b) each one of said transverse rows containing three key buttons,

(c) a key blank provided for each key button in one of said transverse rows in alignment with saidV key buttons of said one transverse row and arranged to the underside of said key buttons of said one transverse row,

(d) each of said key buttons of said one transverse row having a slot on the underside thereof,

(e) the key blanks provided for the outer key buttons of said one transverse row arranged spaced and parallel to each other and both extending Yonly a distance substantially corresponding to that occupied by the key buttons of said `one transverse row, and

(f) a stern on each of said three key blanks and each stern disposed in a said slot of a separate key button of said one transverse row to connect each key blank of said one transverse row to a separate key button of said one transverse row,

(1g) the stems on said key blanks associated with said outer key buttons of said one transverse row being equidistant from a point on the middle key button whereby said key blanks associated with said outer key buttons may be displaced 180 from their positions in said one transverse row as fto be interchangeable one with the other for connection to the other outer key button,

(h) said slots in the outer key buttons being equidistant from apoint on the middle key button whereby said outer key buttons may be displaced 180 from their i positions in said one transverse row as to be interchangeable one with the other for connection to the other key blank.

S. In a keyboard structure,

(a) depressible key buttons arranged in spaced and parallel rows extending in a longitudinal direction and in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction along the keyboard,

(b) each one of said transverse rows containing three key buttons,

(c) a key blank provided for each button in one oi said transverse rows in alignment with said key buttons of said one transverse row and arranged to the underside of said key buttons of said one transverse row,

(d) each of said key buttons of said one transverse row having three spaced and parallel slots on the underside thereof,

(e) the key blanks for the outer key buttons of said one transverse row being spaced and parallel to each other and both extending only a distance substantially corresponding to that occupied by the key buttons of said one transverse row, and

(f) a stem on each of said three key blanks to connect each of said three key blanks to a separate key button of said one transverse row,

(g) said stem of each key blank disposed in oniy one of said three slots of a key button ot said one transverse row for connection thereto with the other two slots of each key button of said one transverse row disconnected to a key blank of said one transverse row whereby the position of any of said three key buttons may be interchanged with another key button of said one transverse row for connection to a key blank of said row,

(h) the stems on said key blanks of said one transverse row associated with the outer key buttons being equidistant from a pointon the middle key button whereby said key blanks associated with the outer key buttons may be displaced 180 from their positions in said one transverse row as to be interchangeable one with the other for connection to the other outer key button. t

6. In a keyboard structure,

(a) a keyboard,

(b) key buttons arranged in spaced and parallel rows extending in a longitudinal direction and in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction aiong said keyboard,

(c) a pin carriage spaced from the key buttons and having said pins arranged in columns therein,

(d) means providing for relative movement between the keyboard and the pin carriage,

(e) each one of said transverse rows of key buttons containing three key buttons,

y() a key blank provided for each button in one of said transverse rows in alignment with said key buttons of said one transverse row and disposed between the key buttons of said one transverse row and said pin carriage,

(g) the key blanks provided for the outer key buttons of said one transverse row arranged spaced and parallel to each other and extending a distance corresponding to that occupied by the key buttons of said one transverse row,

(h) means on each of said three key blanks to secure each key blank to a different key button in the said one transverse row.

(i) the securing means on said key blanks associated withthe outer key buttons being equidistant from a point on the middle key button whereby said key blanks associated with the outer key buttons may be `displaced from their positions as in said one transverse row to be interchangeable one with the other for connection to the other outer key button,

(j) and second means on each key blank of said one transverse row extending in an opposite direction from said securing means adapted for engagement with and to set a pin in the pin carriage when the key button to which the securing means is connected is depressed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,210,562 Anderson Aug. 6, 1940 2,535,178 Walker Dec. 26, 1950 2,656,980 Fox OCt. 27, 1953 2,851,217 Tancred Sept. 9, 1958 2,975,971 Schenk Mar. 2l, 1961 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,169,701 February 16, 1965 Edward J. Dombrowski 1t is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 48, for "associated key buttonA group" read key buttons of the associated row line 70, forV "bythe" read by the column 4, line 13, for "on" read one Signed and sealed this 13th day of July 1965 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,169,701 February 16, 1965 Edward J. Dombrowski 1t is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, 1ine 48, for "associated key button group" read key buttons of the associated row line 70, for "bythe" read by the column 4, line 13, for "on" read one Signed and sealed this 13th day of July 1965.,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDERl EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN A KEYBOARD STRUCTURE, (A) DEPRESSIBLE KEY BUTTONS ARRANGED IN SPACED AND PARALLEL ROWS, (B) SAID KEY BUTTONS HAVING RECESSES PORTION ON THE UNDERSIDE THEREOF, (C) EACH OF SAID ROWS CONTAINING AT LEAST TWO KEY BUTTONS, (D) A PLURALITY OF MOVABLE KEY BLANKS OR LIKE CONFIGURATION IN ALIGNMENT WITH EACH ROW OF KEY BUTTONS AND EQUAL IN NUMBER THERETO AND ARRANGED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID KEY BUTTONS, (E) SAID KEY BLANKS BEING SPACED AND PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING A DISTANCE CORRESPONDING TO THAT OCCUPIED BY THE ASSOCIATED KEY BUTTON GROUP. (F) A PLURALITY OF IDENTICAL STEM PROJECTIONS ON EACH KEY BLANK, (G) AND ONE OF SAID STEM PROJECTIONS OF EACH KEY BLANK CONNECTED TO A DIFFERENT KEY BUTTON IN THE ASSOCIATED ROW AND THE UNCONNECTED STEM PROJECTIONS THEREOF LOOSELY FITTED IN THE SAID RECESS PORTIONS OF THE REMAINING KEY BUTTONS IN THE ROW WHEREBY DEPRESSION OF ONE OF SAID LAST MENTIONED KEY BUTTONS IS EFFECTIVE TO MOVE ONLY THE STEM PROJECTION CONNECTED THERETO. 